Portland K-9 shooting suspects have local ties

The suspect in an April 16 shoot-out with Portland police that ended in the injury of an officer and the death of his K-9 partner once lived in The Dalles.

Paul Alan Ropp, 20, a 2012 graduate of The Dalles Wahtonka High School, is accused of shooting Portland Police Officer Jeff Dorn in both legs and killing police dog Mick, a 2-year-old purebred German Shepherd.

The shootings reportedly followed a chase that began when Dorn and other officers saw Ropp, Steven Alan Young, 20, formerly of Dallesport, and Jemaell Diamond Dominique Riley, 25, leaving a crime scene shortly before 3 a.m. last Wednesday.

The trio had allegedly burglarized Blumenthal Uniforms and Equipment, a store that supplies emergency responders.

Upon seeing the approaching officers, they ran and hopped into a white Chevy Suburban that was believed by Multonmah County officials to have been driven by Ropp.

After a short pursuit, the vehicle slammed into a utility pole at Southwest Capital Highway and Southwest Lobelia. Young, who attended high school in The Dalles until 2011, and Riley stayed in the SUV and were taken into custody, but Ropp fled on foot.

Dorn gave chase and reportedly told Mick to “take that suspect!”

Ropp then allegedly fired on his pursuers, injuring Dorn and fatally wounding Mick, whose body was found several hours later beneath a hedge in a yard.

Dorn survived a bullet wound to each leg and was released from the hospital on the morning of April 17. He is now recovering at home.

After the officer and dog were shot, other officers set up a perimeter around the Southwest Portland neighborhood and Ropp was found several hours later. He had sustained a head injury that was not life-threatening and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The rifle believed to have been used in the shootings was also recovered.

The Dalles Police Chief Jay Waterbury said Ropp had no criminal history while he lived in The Dalles.

According to Chronicle archives, Ropp was an honor student, played tennis and golf at the high school and was involved in Little League as a child.

He is now facing prosecution in Multnomah County on felony charges of attempted aggravated murder, second-degree aggravated animal abuse, assault of a police animal, attempt to elude by vehicle, first-degree burglary, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a destructive device.

According to reports, Young was convicted of a crime in Wasco County as a juvenile, but his court records are sealed and Waterbury declined to comment on the matter.

Young and Riley have been charged with these felonies: burglary, attempted kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

During the investigation, Portland detectives say they learned that Ropp, Young and Rileyhave been involved in an active, ongoing crime spree over the past several weeks.

Anyone with information about their criminal activity is asked to call Detective Anthony Merrill at 503-823-4033 or email anthony.merrill@portlandoregon.gov.